updated 05:08 pm EDT, Fri June 20, 2014

Kobe Bryant, Dustin Brown among celebrity testers

Apple is using professional athletes to help test the iWatch's fitness functions under intense training conditions, a source says. The person claims that Apple has invited NHL, NBA, and MLB players to its Cupertino campus on multiple occasions during the past several weeks. While there the people have been briefed on the iWatch, and given a chance to participate in testing.

This reportedly explains why the LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant was spotted on campus in May. Other participating athletes are said to include the LA Kings' Dustin Brown, and an anonymous player from the Boston Red Sox. Each person was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Apple is said to be hoping to position the iWatch as a fashion accessory, and preparing two different variants. A separate source adds that former Yves St. Laurent CEO Paul Deneve, now a VP under Apple CEO Tim Cook, has been orchestrating strategies for selling fashion goods in Apple Stores.